The Way of the Lord!

The Way of the Lord!

Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.

Isaiah was a prophet who was the main voice of caution in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah. The king himself was a man who at least knew God and tried to lead the people of Judah to God. This is one of the ways that leadership matters; as the one who leads from the front has to know the right direction to follow. As Jesus made clear in Matthew 15:14, if blind leaders lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch. For all who are parents in one form or the other, to biological or spiritual children, or even positional leadership, you are a leader, and are responsible for the lives of men. I must be careful how I discharge that responsibility, as we will see from the context of the verse above that responsibility always demands accountability. How do I see the work that has been placed in my hand? What value do I look forward to adding to the lives I interact with on a daily basis?

Is it just about figures, screens, data, beds and pans, or do I see an opportunity to propagate and promote the will and desire of God in the generation I have been placed? It has to be clear that I do not have forever on this side of eternity to make up my mind what I want to do. Isaiah warned Judah at the time that punishment for disobedience was coming, but due to some form of peace on the home front, and alliances with a few of its neighbours, Judah became complacent. Recall this was the time of deliverance from Sennacherib, king of Assyria. It was also the time that king Hezekiah was also sick, and by prayer and supplication, he got God to change his mind and extend his life by another 15 years. Why would anyone think that anything was wrong, or that anything could go wrong? What could be the reason for fear when God is showing up on all levels? 

Life has shown us that God is merciful; He sends rain on both the good and the wicked, and by principles, blesses the work of the hands of the diligent, agnostic, atheist or anything else. However, He also warns that He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. He wants us to return to Him, no matter how far away we have wandered. At the time of the words of this verse, things were not really bad, but the Lord who sees ahead also warns us ahead that judgment is coming. He is coming. He is a just God, and He will not punish the innocent or acquit the guilty, but He gives the same opportunity of repentance and return to all men. As the voice cried in the wilderness in those days, so does God raise men in these days to warn men of what is coming. The call in those days, as well as today, is a call to return to God. He will not reject any who comes to Him. Would you make the approach? God's time of favour is here.